Folding rule



In order to simplify the reading of the inside measurement which might be the total of a certain number of sections in extended position plus a certain distance through which the extension member is loi'igitudi-r nally moved, the scales 2 and 3 are provided V`vwith digity indications beginning at oppo-v 1 ythat the parts are in the position shown in Figure l in which the base indication on the exposedy section 9 immediatelyv adjacent .to the end ysection l'is 15. and that the finger 6 indicates the figure 8 uponr the scale 12, the figure 8 would be substituted in lieu of the figure and the inside measurement given by this rule would be 18 inches. On

theA otherl vhand assuming that the parts are vin position shown in Figure 2 where the base indication .20'is exposed upon the sectionlO immediately adjacent to the end 30 sectionl and the indicating finger 7 points to the-figure 2 upon the scale 8, the total inside measurement V- is 22 inches.,

Itkwill be Seen that with .the above ar- 4-.rangeme`nt, the vend section 1` is reversed 35 relative tothe exposed sections each time an additional section is rotated from folded position into extended position so that as a consequence, `the scales. are adapted for use .v with alternate sections of the rule'.y 40 Y In the modification `shownin Figure 3, the folding lrule is of larger size yand comprises sections which successively increase the total,` length of the rule .by 10 inch increments, thev first section 12 having the base indication indicating the total length of the first section and end section 13v to be 20 inches. The'second section 14 has the base indication and the successive sections have base indications which successively increase by 10 inches. `In this case, the yscales 15 and'16 upon the end seci `tion 13 are provided with the-r` same digit indications although they'begin at opposite ends of the end section, owing tothe factthat the end, sectionis` alternately reversed withi'espectto the exposed sections as additional'sections are rotated fromy folded into exposed position. Furthermore, the extensin member 17 has the indicating marks 18'v and 19 for lcooperating with the kscales 15 and 16 and has the small knobs20'for facilitating in manually sliding the exten? Vsion member. The opposite faces of the pivotally connected sections'of the folding rule yare provided With suitable graduationsr as Lin vtheA usual construction so that the rule may be used for outside measurements as Well.

From' thev above description, it will be readily seen that I have provided a simple construction of folding rule which is de signed particularly for use in'making insidefmeasurementsand in 'which' means is provided for directly indicating the length of the inside measurements without the necessity of adding two separately indicated lengths thereby eliminating any liability on' the part of the man using the rule of mak-l inge mental mis-calculationl x f ile the unit of length 'mentionedabove yis inches, itis obvious that the unitmight be feet and inches or that the'metricsysj tem might be employed.y f, What I claim'asmy invention is.:

l. In a folding rule, a plurality of pivotally connected sections, one of said sections liavinga pair of spaced longitudinal scales, .i

another section having a base indication thereon, an extension member extending longitudinally of and slidabl'y. ,securedl to said klast-mentioned section between said` scales and provided with means `adapted to designate a figure of said scales forifcoope-ration withfsaid base indication. 2. In a folding ruleV af series of pivotally connected sections,- including an lend sec'- tion and a plurality of sectionsadapted tobe successively rotated-relatively tosaid end section into extended position, said endsection yhaving a pair of longitudinally extendf ing scales, the other of saidsections having base indications thereon, .an extensionmember extending longitudinally of .and slidably secured to said end section to be movable in y opposite directions between said scales, YAsaid gage member being provided. .withineans adapted to designateka'iigure yof said scales for cooperation withsaid base indications;k

3. .In a folding rule, the combination with an end section providedwitha pair of longitudinally extending. scales beginning ,at

opposite endsand a ,pluralityI of pivotally connected sections adapted to be successively rotated relative to-,said end section in toexl tended position, of an extension mem-ber exs tending longitudinally'between said scales .and slidably secured to said endsection to be movable inv opposite directions, said gage member having distancek indicatingmeans for cooperating with each of said scalesj 4. In a folding rulethe combination with a seriesl of pivotally connected sections, in-

cluding an end section and apfluralityofg.

additional sections adapted tofbe successively rotated relative to said end section v,into extended position, eachof said additional sections having abase' indication thereon ex-` posed when the vrespective section isvrotated into extended position and indicating ythe" total length of the sections in extended po-y sition, and said end section having a pair of Y longitudinally extendingscales each coop-` erating With the base indications on t-he al` ternate additional sections and provided with digit indications' in continuation of the base indications for giving the direct readings, of an extension member extending longitudinally of and slidably secured to said end section to be movable in opposite directions, said extension L'member being provided With distance indicating means for cooperating with said scales. y

5. In a rule, the combination With a series of pivotally connected sections, of-a scale member pivotally connected to kone of said sections, an extension member cooperating With said scale member, each of said pivotally connected sections having a base indication, said scale member having a lscale provided with digit indications for cooperation With the respective vbase indications upon said pivotally connected sections, and said extension member having distance indicating meansy cooperating With said scale.

6. In a folding rule, a plurality of pivotv ally lconnected sections, one e-nd lsection hav` ing ay longitudinal scale, another section having a base indication thereon, an extenc va linger carried by said end section adapted n to designate a digit of said scale for coop-k i 1 eration with said base indication.

7. In a folding rule, the combination with if a plurality of pivotally connected sections,l

an` end section having a longitudinal scale,

of an extension member extending longi-` tudinally of and slidably securedtosaid end section, a finger carried by said member coL operating Withv said scale to lindicate the distance the outer end of said member is eX-,v`

tended from saidpendsection, the other'of said pivotally connected sections having the second figure of the base indication disposed upon the section ad]acent to said end vsection to secure the desired measurement.

8. In a folding rule, thecombination'with La plurality of pivotally connected sections, an end section having a longitudinal scale,v

of an extension member slidably secured to said end section, the-:other of said sections having base indicationsand means carried by said extension memberfffor cooperating With said'scale and said base indlcations.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature. i

' FRED BUCK. 

